Expats moving to New Zealand usually have many questions, often about what to expect from expat life. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about living in New Zealand.
Is it expensive to live in New Zealand?
The cost of living in New Zealand is entirely dependent on one's salary, lifestyle and dependents. Generally, the cost of living in New Zealand is found to be quite high for expats, but this opinion is also relative to where they were living prior to moving to New Zealand.
How far away is Australia?
‘Not far enough!’ goes the Kiwi joke. In reality, Australia is a little over 1,200 km (745 miles) to the west. Flight time from Auckland to Sydney is two and a half hours, with frequent departures throughout the day.
How safe is New Zealand?
New Zealand is a very safe place, with among the lowest rates of robbery and violent crime in the developed world. But there are incidents of crime, so expats should take the usual precautions.
What percentage of the population is Maori?
Around 15 percent of the people are Maori, 75 percent are of European descent and the remainder is made up of Pacific Islanders and Asian immigrants, among other ethnicities.
Further reading
►Learn more about living and working in New Zealand in the Expat Arrivals New Zealand guide
►Pros and Cons of Moving to New Zealand provides further insight into life in the country
Are you an expat living in New Zealand?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to New Zealand. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
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